Darker After Midnight (Midnight Breed, #10)

Dec 08, 2010 Lora marked it as maybe

Shelves: g-pr

Yay! Harvard's book! Finally!

Jan 25, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks

Before I begin this review, I have one important thing to say about this book. Darker After Midnight is the tenth installment in Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series and HOLY SH*T THIS BOOK IS…OMG JUST…WOW!

Essentially, this book is about Chase and Tavia and how they find their HEA. But really, it’s so much more. So much happens it’s insane! I have to admit that when I first met Chase in book three, I didn’t feel much for him. Yes, I felt bad for him and h...more Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks

Before I begin this review, I have one important thing to say about this book. Darker After Midnight is the tenth installment in Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series and HOLY SH*T THIS BOOK IS…OMG JUST…WOW!

Essentially, this book is about Chase and Tavia and how they find their HEA. But really, it’s so much more. So much happens it’s insane! I have to admit that when I first met Chase in book three, I didn’t feel much for him. Yes, I felt bad for him and his situation. But as a character, he was just there. Then he joined the Order and he started getting interesting. Then he started getting on my nerves. Never to the point where I wanted to smack him around, but I may have wanted to shake him a little to see what was going on in that head of his. Then the end of book nine happened and I thought he was the bravest and stupidest vampire on the planet. I found what he did to be such an honorable thing to do. It’s too bad he was walking into certain death. But as I’m getting ready to wave goodbye to Chase forever, I remembered that book ten was to be Chase’s book and he most certainly wasn’t headed for certain death because otherwise that would make book ten the shortest book ever. So I changed it in my head: We were not witnessing Chase’s demise at the end of book nine – we were witnessing his greatness. He is still dealing with his issues in Darker After Midnight but his humanity, if you will, is a strong focus too. I liked him quite a bit in this book and had no feelings of wanting to hurt him. *g*

Tavia is a very good match for Chase. I really liked her character but what I liked most was what Lara ended up doing to/with her. Holy whoa I did not see that coming!!! I mean…yeah. I can’t wait to see what loyal readers of this series think of Tavia at the end of the book. I found it all very fitting to what has been going on in these past few books.

We see quite a bit of the other members of the Order but we mostly see Lucan and Gabrielle. I found it was great how we see the aftermath of his struggle with Bloodlust and his struggle with becoming the true leader he was always meant to me. If I weren’t sitting in the middle of my daughter’s dance school when I read the end of this book, I would have stood up and cheered for Lucan in the epilogue.

I was a little disappointed after reading the last book that Jenna and her ‘condition’ weren’t mentioned more but I did not feel that way this time around. Jenna is very much in the picture and much is explained. We also discover a theory about where Breedmates originated! Yeah…I know! Now you know what I mean when I say tons happens in this book!

I have a huge crush on Gideon. I just wanted to throw that out there.

Now let’s talk about the man we all want to punch in the face…and kick in other more painful regions… Dragos. I am about done with him. He wants vampires to take over the world and humans to be a snack. Yeah…he’s one of those guys. In each book, the Order knocks him down a little bit at a time. Starting this book, I was about ready for Dragos to be really hurt this time. I wanted his operation to be completely disbanded and he himself to die a slow and painful death. Or a fast and painful death. Or even a fast and painless death. I’m easy. I just wanted it to happen. Of course, I won’t tell you what happened with Dragos – you’ll just have to read the book to find out. But I am satisfied with where Dragos is headed at the end of this book.

One more little tidbit about Dragos in Darker After Midnight… The ‘big’ part of his plan is revealed and holy jumpin’ I was not expecting him to go there. And when he went there, it was sad and shocking and another moment in the book that had me lose all words other than ‘whoa’.

Oh, and before I forget, no this is not a stand-alone book. You would still enjoy it if you just jumped in and read this one but you wouldn’t have the same reaction as I did to the book because you would be missing the character build-up and the whole ‘Dragos is a super bastard’ aspect of the story also builds over a few books.

Lara’s Midnight Breed series is a solid series. I have never rated a book under 4 stars. The writing is good, the characters are very well developed and the premise (even though it’s vampires in hiding) is unique. I’m always impressed when I finish a Midnight Breed, but I have to say Darker After Midnight blew me away. I could not sit still during the last few chapters. I held my breath and rooted for the heroes and thought “THIS is how a long-running paranormal romance series should make you feel”. Lara got it just right with this tenth installment. I LOVE where the story ended up and I love where it seems to be headed. Fans of this series will have to agree with me that Darker After Midnight is the best book yet.(less)

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Jul 03, 2012 sgt.amok rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I feel like we're going to see more of Ms. Fairchild ...

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Jan 30, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-uf

Mild Spoilers -
I guess this was supposed to be the book that was to be the end of the series until it wasn't the end of the series anymore (when Adrian got a 3 book contract to extend the series). As much as I enjoy these books, I'm not sure it was such a good idea. Hope the next ones are good stories and not just milking her cash cow.

I don't know exactly how I feel about this one. It was a good story and action filled; but the romance went from zero to bonded and having hot and heavy sex in th...more Mild Spoilers -
I guess this was supposed to be the book that was to be the end of the series until it wasn't the end of the series anymore (when Adrian got a 3 book contract to extend the series). As much as I enjoy these books, I'm not sure it was such a good idea. Hope the next ones are good stories and not just milking her cash cow.

I don't know exactly how I feel about this one. It was a good story and action filled; but the romance went from zero to bonded and having hot and heavy sex in the blink of an eye. Not a lot of development to the romance of Chase and Tavia. Really liked Tavia though; and her bad little self. It's about time we had a female Breed, even if it was a bit far-fetched on how she came to be. Even more out there was the parentage of the other Breedmates. I guess the next few books will be about looking for the Breedmates Atlantean daddies. (How's that for far-fetched)? Truthfully, I'm glad the Dragos plotline is done; I'm ready for whatever else Adrian has planned for the future books.

Now that the Breeds have been outed to the human world, I imagine there will be more stories about them assimilating into the world and a lot of "can't we all just get along" moments. The ending wrapped everything up in a neat little bow as if the series were really ending; but there were a few truly cheesy moments tucked into the epilogue. I didn't like how the epilogue dealt with Chase and Tavia's bloodlust problems. The book ends, the epilogue takes place a year later; and with a few choice lines, the reader is told that their problems are all over and they are both okay. Don't know about anyone else, but it wasn't enough for me. I felt cheated, especially since this problem was one of the major plotlines of the book.

The book was good, and an enjoyable read. There were just a few little nitpicks that kept it from being a great read. Still, it was fun, and it's always good to be in the world of the Breeds. It was nice to have shout-outs to all the couples, even if they were tossed in the story in a rather illogical fashion. If you are a fan of the series, you will enjoy this book. It's not the best of the series, but just having all the couples in for a hello and a catch-up on their lives make it all worthwhile. Recommended to the fans. I understand the next books will take place 10 years in the future; so I guess that there will be stories for Nathan, Kellan, and Mira coming up.(less)

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Jan 29, 2012 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was never a huge fan of Chase. But I have to say that this book has completely changed my mind about him. I think this was probably my favorite book of the entire series. I'm not giving any spoilers but the ending was just mind blowing. I couldn't read it fast enough. So much was happening. I'm so sad this part of the journey is at an end. But I am anxious to see how the spin off series will go. Hopefully we will get some glimpses of the entire "family" so we can at least see how they are doin...more

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Feb 11, 2012 DemonKitty003 rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

~After reading~

So...I must say, there were some parts in this book that really got me. I will admit I was drawn into the book once the beginning was over. The other surprising part is that I was actually interested in Tavia. I am never interested in a female character before!!! It is completely out of the question, but someone Lara made me want to follow Tavia (even though I still wish it wasn't a recycled character, would have been more delicious and exciting). Then there is the notecing crush/...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Nancy rated it 2 of 5 stars

I hate to give this one two stars, but that's what it is. It wasn't nearly as good as the other books in the series.

Chase has not been one of my favorite characters, he's very whiny and just needs a good dose of suck it up. I don't think he should have had his own book.

Tavia could have been more interesting, if we'd have had more backstory, but she fell kind of flat. Kind of like a reboot of Jenna's story. Although Jenna gets a bit more interesting in this book.

Tegan/Gabrielle are having issues...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for_review, paranormal

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog Rating: 4.5/5

Sterling Chase’s story has been building up for many books now and to say his journey has been bumpy and full of angst would be the understatement of the year. He’s seen his brother die, he’s loved his brother’s wife and watched her mate to another member of the Order. He’s killed his nephew when he was overtaken by bloodlust brought on by overdosing on drugs and all of this has slowly eaten away at Chase until he too is on the verge of...more Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog Rating: 4.5/5

Sterling Chase’s story has been building up for many books now and to say his journey has been bumpy and full of angst would be the understatement of the year. He’s seen his brother die, he’s loved his brother’s wife and watched her mate to another member of the Order. He’s killed his nephew when he was overtaken by bloodlust brought on by overdosing on drugs and all of this has slowly eaten away at Chase until he too is on the verge of losing it all to bloodlust. When we last left off, Chase gave himself up to help save his brothers and their mates in the Order, even though he’s been cast out of the Order and is dealing with everything on his own. He’s taken into custody, but doesn’t stay there long and crosses paths with Tavia – a female who is anything but the human she believes herself to be.

There won't be any spoilers about who Tavia is, so the review will be as detailed as possible without giving anything away. Dragos, and his evil ways, hits close to home for Tavia and everything that she thought she was and the people she loved most in her life were nothing but lies. With Chase’s help, she’s able to finally learn the truth about who the Breeds are and starts to uncover the details about who she is.

While Chase’s story may have been a long time coming, Dragos’ rise in power and the final fight between him, his army and the Breeds has been building from the start. Dragos pulls no punches and unleashes mass destruction and killers throughout the world, which causes death and destruction at a pace that the Order just can’t keep up with. I was counting down until the moment when Dragos got what was coming to him, but it comes at a great cost to Tavia and Chase and changes the world the Breeds and humans live in forever.

Tavia is such a strong female, and she needs to be to be able to match up well with Chase. He still has so much self-hatred in him and he’s constantly fighting against the bloodlust thats right there in front of him. Tavia becomes his lifeline, the person that he can hold on to and someone who helps him through the worst of times. I love a hero who’s been through so much pain and heartache and watch him slowly come out of it and start living again, and Tavia gives him all the reasons in the world to start to turn his life around. Before we get to the sweet and tender moments between them, there is crazy hot attraction that’s not denied and they become linked in ways that Tavia doesn’t really understand at first. Chase sure does, but since he refuses to feed from her, afraid that he won’t be able to stop, their blood bond is one sided for much of the book. Tavia is able to feel what Chase is going through as he fights his hunger and it’s that tie between them that starts to ground him and help him move forward.

All the past characters, heroes, heroines and children, get page time as everyone gears up for the fight with Dragos. There are developments with the history of the Breedmates and there are still stories to be told with the younger set, Mira, Kellan and now Nathan. Lucan steps fully into his role as leader, leading not only his men, but taking the Breeds in a new direction at the end of the story.

The final fight takes place over quite a few chapters at the end and after all is said and done, my one little issue is that Chase and Tavia’s story ended a bit abruptly. We get a great epilogue at the end that takes us 1 year into the future, but it almost felt like a chapter was missing between where the story ends now and the epilogue starts. I needed just a little bit more closure for Chase and Tavia.

DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT ends on a positive note, but there are still so many loose ends that will take us easily into the next portion of this series and really, a new world, with the direction that things go at the end of this story. I’m hoping that our old friends will still show up and we can stay caught up with their lives while being introduced to new characters that are out there in the Breed world that we need to get to know. (less)

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Feb 03, 2012 Carrie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-has-copy, read-2012, pnr, urban-fantasy

While I enjoyed the story and was glad to see some things wrapped up (namely the villain), Darker After Midnight wasn't a total success for me.

Tavia had the potential to be a very interesting character, and I thought Adrian's little surprise about her was great. Unfortunately, Tavia starts out as this sort of pathetic, needy individual and then, wham!, she's superwoman with all kinds of mad skills. It was so unbelievable that it had my head spinning. No character development, just zero to sixty...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Ronda Tutt rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic, paranormal-romance

Mind Blowing!

Wow, The author's writing captures you immediately with the thrill of Chase's sacrifice of turning himself into the police to save the Order from the set up evil caused by Dragos and with Chase finally getting his over due HEA. Chase and Tavia definitely heat up the pages with their chemistry.

I loved the introduction of the new female Tavia - totally awesome that there is the first Female BREED, not a BREEDMATE but a BREED. Her character was kick ass and I look forward to reading f...more Mind Blowing!

Wow, The author's writing captures you immediately with the thrill of Chase's sacrifice of turning himself into the police to save the Order from the set up evil caused by Dragos and with Chase finally getting his over due HEA. Chase and Tavia definitely heat up the pages with their chemistry.

I loved the introduction of the new female Tavia - totally awesome that there is the first Female BREED, not a BREEDMATE but a BREED. Her character was kick ass and I look forward to reading future books with her in them fighting along side with the Male BREEDS.

This story was fantastic and the new discoveries and insight to the Breed who landed on earth centuries ago made the story interesting but leaving many questions unanswered of why they hunted down the Atlantians and how the Breedmates are intertwined with them. Also who the Breedmates father truely was is in question because many of the Breedmates were all orphans or had adoptive parents. I am truly looking forward to the future books to learn of their heritage and how they came about being on earth.

This story's climax regarding the evil wicked Breed Dragos had me on the edge of my seat - boy what a exciting and thrilling climax with his death, I was right there with Chase in his madness of destroying Dragos.

I loved all the interaction between the characters and was glad to be reminded the love between all the mates especially with the new baby Xander. I loved the ending new surprises of life to come with the other warriors and their mates and how it showed that the Breed will continue on with its existence regardless of the unknown future and how it gave them the symbol of hope for their future.

However, now I am even more curious in how the author will add to this series now that the BREED and their Order are exposed to the human world. With everything that happened in the end it kind of reminded me of my favorite show on HBO "True Blood" and how the vampires and shifters were accepted into society. With the legend of the Atlantians I am very excited how this immortal and powerful alien matches up to the Breed and how it will all unfold and we find out why they were being hunted by the Breed in the first place.

I am truly addicted to this series and just have to say that Lara Adrian is one fantastic writer and story teller.

Fantastic Read!

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Jun 21, 2012 Kris (KindleRomance) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amazing, favorites-series

The perfect ending for an amazing storyline!! Adrian wrote some amazing action scenes that had my heart racing! Seeing everybody was great. I really enjoyed the relationship between Chase and Tavia. I loved her character and thought they were a great couple. After investing so much time in this series, I was thrilled that Adrian did such a wonderful job with tying up all of the loose ends. Looking forward to the next few books which take place in the future.

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Jan 15, 2013 AJ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: actiony, romantic, series, steamy, pnr-vampires

This whole series, and in particular this final instalment, can be summed up in three words - OH HELL YEAH!!!

Darker After Midnight picked up the action straight away, and with characters and storyline already well established, it was straight into the action. And after 9 books (and one novella), this climactic book had the feel of one, huge long finale. It was excitement from start to finish, with action, secrets uncovered and shocking discoveries happening all the way through (history of the B...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Kristina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book! The whole series is great!

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Apr 28, 2012 Melindeeloo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, paranormal-romance-vampire

Sterling Chase has been waiting for a long time for his happily ever after, but even though I was really excited about his story it took me a long time to get through the first 100 or so pages – I kept setting the book aside and reading bits of other things. I think the reason that I had a hard time with the start of the book was that author Adrian didn't really do anything to reconnected us with Chase before that 100 page mark, so whatever connection there was to Chase, and any sympathy for his...more

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May 03, 2012 Gina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

This book started off really strong, I was really liking Chase (as opposed to in the other books where he seemed so angry and volatile). And I really loved the twist with Tavia, I love a strong female character. But the 2nd half fell a bit flat and too serious for me, a little too unrealistic and not enough romance (ok so lots of sex but not enough emotional connection). I forgot why they loved each other.

I'm curious how the next 3 books will be. I heard it's 10 years from now so it's almost li...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Evie Jayne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was wonderful to be back in Lara's world. As soon as I started reading I was reminded why she is one of my very few favourite authors. Lara's skill as a writer is fantastic. Her world is fascinating and her characters compelling and her books are page turners. Deeper than Midnight is no exception.
Chase and Tavia's story is expertly wound into the over arching series story line and the intro of a new character type(keeping my mouth shut here) is exciting. Midsnight Breeds is one of the best s...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Diana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, romance-paranormal, soa-review

Audiobook Narrated by Hillary Huber

I’ve listened to seven of the books in the Midnight Breed series so I was interested in catching up with Darker After Midnight, the tenth book that was billed as the wrapup. I recommend the first four in the series which have intricate plots and real romance. As to this latest book, it’s no spoiler to reveal that the Order’s super evil archenemy Dragos is finally vanquished, albeit fairly easily, after nine books of buildup. Apparently the publisher had second...more Audiobook Narrated by Hillary Huber

I’ve listened to seven of the books in the Midnight Breed series so I was interested in catching up with Darker After Midnight, the tenth book that was billed as the wrapup. I recommend the first four in the series which have intricate plots and real romance. As to this latest book, it’s no spoiler to reveal that the Order’s super evil archenemy Dragos is finally vanquished, albeit fairly easily, after nine books of buildup. Apparently the publisher had second thoughts and there now will be at least three more which explains the heavy presence of the younger generation in this book. In fact it seems that every character who ever set foot in one of the Midnight Breed books has a featured role, leaving the main couple Tavia and Chase competing for air time with a boatload of previous couples sappy with baby fever.

Normally I would issue a warning not to start a series with book #10 but I think you could with this one. Author Adrian painstakingly explains the series mythology and you get to meet the whole Breed gang. The commercial tone is hard to miss.

There is one obvious and significant difference between Adrian’s Midnight Breed series and its inspiration, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. Ward’s vampires get it that they’re high camp with a wink wink, nudge nudge. Adrian’s supernaturals take themselves very, very seriously making them too deadly and humorless for me. A surprise Extremely Important Event for the Breed Nation occurs in the epilogue. I laughed out loud, in a room by myself, in the dark, and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to find it funny.

Narrator Hillary Huber has done a fine job with all of this series. She’s handled a number of accents with aplomb. So many characters from the previous books appeared here that I had some difficulty knowing who was speaking at times but Huber kept a handle on it. My only complaint is with the child Mira sounding too babyish, but she’ll probably be grown and ready for her very own fated mate in the next entry to the series.

This review appears at Speaking of Audiobooks at All About Romance 3/5/12
http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=7874 (less)

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Feb 03, 2012 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance

I love Lara Adrian's books! I was so excited to get my hands on this. It was great! Many questions answered, resolutions achieved and new questions to be answered!! Love the ending!!!!!! Can't wait for her next 3 books. They are going to be fast forwarded to the future though. I bet we get to see Kellan and Mira in one of the next books!!!!

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May 26, 2012 Elise-all things bright and shiny rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like this Breed book better than the last because I was able to jump right back into the story. The last one left me trying to remember the storyline and what was going on (the problem with waiting too long before putting out a new book). I've always liked Sterling and I enjoyed reading his story, although I would have like a little more Breedmate interaction, actually, more Breed interaction. And the whole thing with Claire dream walking was weird. What was the point if she was not going to h...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Vanessa theJeepDiva rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, paranormal-romance

Darker After Midnight picks up just a few hours after Deeper Than Midnight. The book starts of with a bang and the action is non stop from the very first pages. Dragos still manages to throw more shocking events into the mix and Lara manages to unveil even more revelations into what I consider the best vampire paranormal romance series that you can find on a bookshelf. If you have not read this series yet stop what you are doing right now and go buy Kiss of Midnight.

I have to admit I was worrie...more Darker After Midnight picks up just a few hours after Deeper Than Midnight. The book starts of with a bang and the action is non stop from the very first pages. Dragos still manages to throw more shocking events into the mix and Lara manages to unveil even more revelations into what I consider the best vampire paranormal romance series that you can find on a bookshelf. If you have not read this series yet stop what you are doing right now and go buy Kiss of Midnight.

I have to admit I was worried going into this book. Chase and his Bloodlust affliction was not a struggle I was looking forward to reading an entire book of. After reading a couple of chapters I was very pleased to see how the Bloodlust was done with his character and the overall flow of Darker After Midnight. I was also shocked at some of the emotions that he showed. His character, his past and the struggles that he has kept hidden were surprising at times.

Tavia was a great match for Chase. The last we saw Tavia she was getting a good look at Chase as he gunned down a personal friend of the senator that she works for. When readers see her next she is at the police station with that information. I liked her open-mindedness. Chase who she believes is a crazed murderer is telling her to beware of Dragos. She has the common sense to actually question her employer. She also takes the news that the world is not what she thought very well. She was an easy heroine to love.

Readers got plenty of page time with the couples from the previous books. Jenna is having some nightmares due to the biotech that the Ancient left in her. This is another bit of revelations that has me beyond curious as to where Lara will take it. Baby Xander is giving the Breedmates baby fever, which I think is too cute!

The evolution of the Breed that was revealed in Darker After Midnight was very interesting. I cannot wait to see what Lara does with that. I also cannot wait to see how the last Dragos bombshells effects the world she has gotten me addicted to. For what I understand Lara is going to continue writing the Breed books, but in the future, starting with Mira’s book. The way this book ended has me anxiously awaiting to see how her changed Breed world will effect the children of the couples I have so thoroughly enjoyed reading.
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Mar 06, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: part-of-series, e-book, traded-sold

******** maybe a spoiler *********

I really hated to write a review of this book because I have so many thoughts running through my mind and so many feelings to process after finishing it. I know there is no way my words here can adequately convey how I feel about the latest Midnight Breeds book.

I did not want this book to end. I was alternating between speed-reading through to see what happens and re-reading certain parts over and over to slow it down because I was not ready to let this go. Ever...more ******** maybe a spoiler *********

I really hated to write a review of this book because I have so many thoughts running through my mind and so many feelings to process after finishing it. I know there is no way my words here can adequately convey how I feel about the latest Midnight Breeds book.

I did not want this book to end. I was alternating between speed-reading through to see what happens and re-reading certain parts over and over to slow it down because I was not ready to let this go. Every scene was so intense and the interaction between the people in this book (both good and evil) was done so well that I could not gloss over or skim any part of it. There was enough back-story that someone who hasn't read the rest of this series (horror!) could figure out what was going on, but not too much "filler" information that would bore the die-hard fans of the Breeds. This book contained the perfect mixture of action, romance, suspense and emotion.

Lara Adrian has created an exceptional cast of characters, and her writing talent truly shines in the way she was able to put the spotlight on every member of the Order. I fell a little bit in love (again) with each of the warriors in the process of reading this book. While this was primarily Chase and Tavia's story, all of the Breeds have starring roles and the book is a stunning continuation of the story between the Order and Dragos. There was more romance (emotion, and sex scenes) in this book than the previous one. My heart ached for Chase and Tavia for what they were each going through, and how deeply they wanted to help the other. I could easily believe how they came to trust and rely on each other, and why they were drawn to the other. My only (minor) complaint about this book was Chase's insecurity. I know he was a screw-up. The Order was disgusted and disappointed with him, and rightly so. I got a little tired of reading through his self-loathing and feelings of unworthiness, even though I knew it was rooted in his Bloodlust.

I am reluctant to call this book a climax because I've heard there will be more in this series, but it would be very easy to believe this one to be the end. While the fans of this series (myself included) would be hard-pressed to say goodbye to Lucan, Tegan, Dante, Gideon, Niko, Brock, Rio, Kade, Hunter and Chase, Darker After Midnight is such a satisfying read - the end of Dragos and his evil, plus the tentative peace between humans and the Breed - the scene at the UN in the epilogue could be the end of the series and it would be enough. That Lara Adrian has more stories to tell in this fantastic world is just a bonus!

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Jan 23, 2012 Missie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lara Adrian's hardcover debut couldn't have explode on to the scene at a better time or with a better story. Darker After Midnight was a game change book that hit the floor running even before page one, with Sterling Chase's backstory carrying a low but menacing current since he was introduced to the series.

Chase was a character that made me feel a bit nervous and on edge when he came into the fold of the Order, and more than a few times I even pitted him. Unable to trust his motives, I worried...more Lara Adrian's hardcover debut couldn't have explode on to the scene at a better time or with a better story. Darker After Midnight was a game change book that hit the floor running even before page one, with Sterling Chase's backstory carrying a low but menacing current since he was introduced to the series.

Chase was a character that made me feel a bit nervous and on edge when he came into the fold of the Order, and more than a few times I even pitted him. Unable to trust his motives, I worried about not being able to connect with him because I wasn't sure he was the type of male lead I'd want to read about. Seeing him fall from his Golden Boy status to something much more darker and sinister wasn't very appealing. But I should have known that Adrian had way more planned for him that I could have ever imagined.

Chase's high impact, high stakes journey begins with his fallout from the Order and slowly heads towards redemption and healing. Along for the ride is Tavia Fairchild, a Breedmate unlike any other. Unbeknown to her, Tavia was an experiment of sorts at the hands of the ruthless and power hungry Dragos. Hoping to use her for his cause, Dragos kept Tavia shrouded from her true origin. But with Chase's help, Tavia uncovers the truth about 'condition' and learns to embrace it.

Chase and Tavia have easily become my favorite couple of the whole series. They were explosive together, and their coupling...raw, aggressive and fiery. They complimented one another in a lot of unexpected ways and the passion that erupted between them lead to heartfelt caring and understand of each other's nature.

The new elements to the overall arc of the series that were revealed were very exciting. I loved that Adrian included a fair amount of world and lore building along with character growth. And I especially enjoyed the fact that many members of the Order and their Breedmates were involved in this installment. The intertwining perspectives in which the story was told were purposeful and refreshing, adding a rich and intricate layer of endless exploration.

There were a few corny bits of 'we're all just a big happy family' when all the good guys were together, but it helped create a much needed balance to the tension that was boiling behind the scenes. Honestly, I was happy to see Dragos' evil schemes finally come into fruition because it had been a long time coming. It was also very satisfying to see that an easy solution wasn't presented after the climatic end. I'm very interested in knowing what will become of the Breed and their families in the aftermath of the destruction that was unleashed on the world.

Ever since discovering the Midnight Breed series last Spring, I've been involved in a torrid love affair with it. As is often the case with a long standing series, I've enjoyed some books better than others, but even when a few of the Breed Warriors of the Order stories failed to impress me, I can't deny my addiction to Adrian's writing and to her characters, and Darker After Midnight is the perfect example of why I'm a huge fan of the series.

As I've said before, I love Adrian's breed of vampires. I love that they are savage yet honorable. I think their origin is very unique and fascinating. And I love how they have to feed from an open vein. They are so very vampire, and I definitely recommend this series to fangbangers and romance readers alike, though I will says that this is a series best read in order. (less)

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Feb 03, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vampires, virgin-heroines, warriors, tortured-heros, genetic-engineering, kick-ass-heroines, politics, atlantis

Darker After Midnight
4 Stars

Synopsis
After placing the entire Breed race at risk of discovery, Dragos is on the offensive and the warriors are playing catch up. At the heart of the conflict are Sterling Chase, a warrior struggling against his bloodlust, and Tavia Fairchild, a young woman who is not what she seems. Together Chase and Tavia will have to accept their true natures if they are to defeat Dragos before he unleashes hell on earth.

Review
A satisfying conclusion to the existing story lines...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Sidney Martin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay this book,I believe,is better than the previous 2 books.So I will give it 2.5 stars.
To start with,1/3 of the book was BORING.It was slow (too slow) and I didn't find myself enjoying it as such.It was like reading and reading and reading but I couldn't feel the book (I know this might sound crazy but when I read a book,I usually feel it.When the characters are happy,I am happy and when the characters are sad,I feel sad) but I felt nothing while reading till 1/3rd of the book.
Even when Chase...more Okay this book,I believe,is better than the previous 2 books.So I will give it 2.5 stars.
To start with,1/3 of the book was BORING.It was slow (too slow) and I didn't find myself enjoying it as such.It was like reading and reading and reading but I couldn't feel the book (I know this might sound crazy but when I read a book,I usually feel it.When the characters are happy,I am happy and when the characters are sad,I feel sad) but I felt nothing while reading till 1/3rd of the book.
Even when Chase found out what Tavia was,I was like 'WTH,its stupid',even though it was "supposed" to be evolutionary.Yeah,it was a good change and should have come as a shock.But unfortunately it failed to have any impact on me.I believe Lara Adrain could have written this part/scene in a better a way.But since she had already given us hints that the "burn marks" could be "breed marks", I didn't feel like "OMG!!! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!" at all when Chase saw Tavia in her breed form.
What I didn't like at all was at the start when The Compound is actually blasted off and Lucan is upset,(In fact the whole Order should be upset and in chaos because of it but instead everyone is acting like nothing happened) I expected Gabriella to go to Lucan and confort him by using words.Instead she goes to him wearing 5 inch heels and sexy clothes,seduces him and asks him for a baby.
This scene was so out of place in the book and annoyed me a lot.

I started enjoying the book when Tavia runs to her house and finds out her whole life was a lie.At that point,I found myself hooked up to the story and wanted to read more.
I especially liked the scene when Tegan,Renata,Hunter and Nikolai arrive at Rowen's dark haven and see Tavia for the first time.That was the best scene of the book.
But after that, the book fell flat again.
Another thing which I didn't like was when the whole Order was fighting against Dragos and (working their a** off literally) trying to find all the traitors in the agency,Chase and Tavia were busy making love in their bed.I thought Chase was fighting with blood lust,but apparently he had no problem thought out the book trying to curb it.He didn't even once bite anyone once against their will through out the book,except for at the start when he needed to heal.Even thought he was starving without blood,he easily controlled his hunger.And I thought he was almost at the edge of sanity and about to become rogue(rolling my eyes).
Another thing which I hated was that through out the previous 7 books,it was shown that Chase was in love with Elise.But in this book, Chase tells Tavia that he wasn't in love with Elise but wanted her because she was with his brother.WTH.We waited through out the series waiting for Chase's book because he was in love with Elise and we thought he had a right to have a happy ending too.And now you tell me he wasn't in love with Elise......WTF.
The ending left me even more confused.The start of a "new era" where vampires and humans are going to walk side by side since humans already know of "breed's existence" didn't impress me at all.
Oh and then the part where Jenna finds out that breedmates actually belong to an immortal class was even less impressive.This book was supposed to be Chase's book,not a promotional book for the coming novels.So I was even more irritated.Lara Adrain changed this beautiful Paranormal Romance novel to a melodramatic,annoying soap opera,just so that it can be continued and more novels can be made.What I used to love about this book was the romance.But in the previous few books,the romance is missing.They characters find themselves in love all of a sudden and all of a sudden they are ready to die for their "mates".
How romantic.
Please don't fail to note the sarcasm.
And let me guess what will happen in the coming books.Most probably Kellan and Nathan both will fall for Mera.And then there will be more melodrama.

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Jan 30, 2012 Duchess Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-pcs, genre-paranormal-vamps, read-in-2012

I love Sterling Chase! Out of all of the Order members, we've come to know him the best. We've been with him through some really hard times, and rooted for him to pull through and find himself a wonderful woman to tame his wilder desires. You know, for blood.

Tavia's story is wholly new to the Breeds story. If you were looking for a game changer in this series (which I was) then here it is! I was starting to become bored with the formulaic story lines common to many longer series. Hunter's lackl...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Tempi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have been waiting for Harvards book a long time now. Like I said before, Chase is special to me , because I think he's the diferent type of PNR heroe. When you read a book in this genre your main heroe is typically a scared male with a dark past that is revieled to the readers via flashbacks or recollection of past events. This is not the case with Sterling Chase. The once who followed the series witnessed he's downfall at first hand. Chase started off as a very promising young Breed male, wit...more I have been waiting for Harvards book a long time now. Like I said before, Chase is special to me , because I think he's the diferent type of PNR heroe. When you read a book in this genre your main heroe is typically a scared male with a dark past that is revieled to the readers via flashbacks or recollection of past events. This is not the case with Sterling Chase. The once who followed the series witnessed he's downfall at first hand. Chase started off as a very promising young Breed male, with a bright future ahead of him and many possibilities. He was arrogant and maybe just a bit naive but the events that occured turned everything upside down...
To me Chase is more of a classic and temporary literature type of character, and that's basically the reason I felt excitement about his book. I could relate to him , because I got to witness his fallout and not get informed by a 3rd party or some flashback scenes.
With this in mind I felt overall satisfaction with his HEA. The action was fast paced and definitely kept my attention. I must admit I liked Tavia Fairchild, as she didn't annoy me too much (unlike Renata and Corine) I would like to assure the readers that this book is waaaay better than the previous one, which isn't hard to accomplish since Deeper Than Midnight is so damn near to disasterland.There was also a good connection between Chase and Tavia. They had the chemistry.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Of course there are some things I could rant about which I would put in spoilers.
First of all (view spoiler)(less)

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Mar 24, 2012 Jamie Mae rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-paranormal, series-midnight-breed-by-lara-adria, starring-vampires

http://www.laraadrian.com/home.php#quiet

When I finished Deeper Than Midnight I went straight to her website for release date (TBA Summer 2012) and got really excited when I read the story summary. The first line is:

"The climactic novel in Lara Adrian’s New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series--and her hardcover debut--Darker After Midnight invites readers to enter a thrillingly sensual world where danger meets desire.

"CLIMACTIC" After an excited little squeal (My justification is that I...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Carla-Book Monster Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Carla's Review

Midnight Breed is one of the first paranormal romance books I read and I instantly fell in love with the creative and original world Lara Adrian created. The characters stick with you, well after the story has ended and you are always left clamoring for the next book. Every book in this series was great but I have to say that Darker After Midnight is the EPIC book of the series and was truly phenomenal. I really can't give much details without giving away spoilers, so I will do my...more Carla's Review

Midnight Breed is one of the first paranormal romance books I read and I instantly fell in love with the creative and original world Lara Adrian created. The characters stick with you, well after the story has ended and you are always left clamoring for the next book. Every book in this series was great but I have to say that Darker After Midnight is the EPIC book of the series and was truly phenomenal. I really can't give much details without giving away spoilers, so I will do my best to give you a summary.

When Deeper Than Midnight ended, Sterling Chase risked his life by running out of the compound and surrendering himself to the human police and that is where we find him when Darker After Midnight begins. He wanted to give Lucan, the rest of the Order and their mates a chance to flee the compound before the police found them. Chase is now locked up and the bloodlust is riding him hard but he will do what needs to be done in order to save the Order and their mates, the only ones he considers his family and friends. When Tavia Fairchild arrives at the police station for a line up, all hell breaks loose. When Chase meets up again with Tavia, he learns that she is much more than anyone could have expected, to him and to the Breed, and he will stop at nothing to protect her.

Tavia Fairchild is the assistant to a United States senator who also happens to be Dragos' newest minion. Tavia knows nothing about vampires or things that go bump in the night so when she sees Chase for what he really is, and in the throes of bloodlust no less, she thinks he is a monster that's on a killing spree. Tavia's life has been turned upside down. Everything she's ever known is not what it seemed and now Dragos is after her. Utterly alone and weary of who to trust, Tavia decides to go after Dragos to put a stop to his madness.

We also get to see quite a bit of Lucan in this book as well. Lucan is faced with some of the toughest decisions he's ever had to make for the safety of the Order and their mates. After the fiasco that happened at the end of Deeper Than Midnight, Lucan must decide whether or not to flee the compound. And if they flee, where will they go? The biggest test he faces is when Dragos puts his last horrendous plan into motion and puts the entire world into chaos. Now it's up to Lucan to clean up the mess and to try and save the Breed species.

With that said, SO much happens in this book and I don't want to give anything away, so I will not say anything more. This book can be read as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading the series in order because you will not want to miss any of the events that led up to Darker After Midnight. You will fall in love with the world Lara created and all of the characters in it. This book is a MUST read for all Midnight Breed fans, as the story line from the previous books comes to a conclusion and opens up a new world for the Breed. Truly an EPIC read!!

I give DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT 5 stars (but..if I could give it more I would)
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Feb 22, 2013 Erica Chilson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: digital, nook, paranormal-romance, 4-star, kindle, paper, reread, smoking-hot-aliens

A ring of finality... Perhaps a new beginning...

The main protagonists drew me in from the start.
Sterling "Harvard" Chase has always had a place in my heart. He always strove to be the best with an arrogant attitude. I knew beneath the surface we would find a hero with a not good enough complex. From previous installments we knew he was battling bloodlust and on the verge of going rogue. I was surprised to learn that he had battled this, not only for the time we've known him, but since the...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Michelle Leah Olson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literal-addiction-books, reviewed

Darker after Midnight, Book #10 of the Midnight Breed series
Author: Lara Adrian

Synopsis:
In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the pow...more Darker after Midnight, Book #10 of the Midnight Breed series
Author: Lara Adrian

Synopsis:
In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach. But when his eyes meet those of Tavia Fairchild, a beautiful witness who identifies him at the scene of a mission gone terribly wrong, Chase finds himself drawn to the woman—and convinced she is something much more than she seems.

Pulled into a vortex of intrigue and danger she can neither resist nor understand, Tavia is uncertain whom to trust. And while everything sane and logical warns her against getting close to Chase, she cannot deny that the handsome, deeply haunted male stirs something primal and ravenous within her. But even as she surrenders to her cravings, nothing can prepare her for the shattering truth of who—and what—she truly is.

As the Order’s enemy mobilizes for the battle of the ages, Dragos and his Minions unleashing a hell on Earth like nothing ever seen before, Chase and Tavia are thrust into the heart of the violence. With time running out and the streets running red with the blood of innocent lives, both Breed and human, together Chase and Tavia must find a way to defeat Dragos once and for all—or die trying.

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:
I’ve been following the Midnight Breed series from book one. After each installment I wait impatiently for each new release, sit down to read them, enjoy every word, and yet, book after book, wanted nothing more than for Chase to find his HEA.
Darker after Midnight is Sterling Chase’s book, and while I felt like I had been waiting for it forever and was afraid that I had put too high of expectations on it, I should never have worried… this book was fantastic – everything I was hoping for and SO much more.
After the climactic end of Hunter’s book, I couldn’t help but wonder how in the world Chase’s book would turn out. How would he get himself out of that mess, how would he redeem himself to his brothers after everything he put himself and them through in the last few books, how in the world would Lara be able to resolve all of that in one book, etc. All of those questions were answered, along with a multitude of other little holes from the series I didn’t even realize were there. Lara packed so much into this book it was a non-stop thrill ride of epic proportions and I never wanted to get off.
Darker after Midnight brings to light so many things about the Ancients, about Dragos, about different members of the Breed and their mates that while it’s Chase’s story and he’s our hero, this book is the fireworks display of the Midnight Breed series and in my honest opinion, the very best book of the bunch.
Lara wrapped up the main series beautifully at the end of Darker after Midnight and supplied an amazing segue to the new books in the series – which sound a bit like spin offs with the younger generation as our heroines and heroes. Mira’s book is due up next and I cannot wait for its release.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives Darker after Midnight 5 skulls and feels like that isn’t even adequate for the gift of this book. We recommend it to everyone – Paranormal Romance lovers, Urban Fantasy readers, anyone who loves fast paced, action packed, intense reads with gripping characters and spectacular storylines woven into a phenomenally crafted world. If you haven’t started the Midnight Breed series yet, we highly suggest that you bump it up to the top of your TBR list and get started today.

**ARC received from author**
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Darker After Midnight (Midnight Breed #10)

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